Ginny rolled her eyes in the mirror as she fastened on a locket that her parents had given her for her birthday. “It’s only one night, Harry. Honestly, I’m surprised that this is all they’re doing.”

“They gave me the Order of Merlin, too,” Harry grunted. “That was also a big to do that I could have done without.” He finished tying his laces and stood to pull on his dress robes. “I hated the last ball that I went to.”

Turning, Ginny put her hands on her hips in a manner that exactly mimicked her mother. “Yes, but this time you’re going with me. I didn’t have a bad time with Neville.” Her eyes were twinkling with mischief. “Unfortunately, you’re nearly as bad of a dancer as Neville, so it’s not much of an improvement.”

He laughed, and crossing the room to her, pulled her into a quick hug. He planted a kiss on her lips and grinned down at her. “You’re a definite improvement over Pavarti. Although she’s nice, I didn’t really want to go with her.”

“No, you wanted to go with Cho. Harry,” Ginny leaned back and looked up into his face very seriously. “I think she’s going to be there tonight, and I do not want you to dance with her. I don’t care if that makes me look jealous. I am jealous.”

“Why would she want to dance with me?”

“Harry! You’re the hero and it’s the Victory Ball! Of course she’ll want to dance with you, but as your wife, I’m putting my foot down.” She was really starting to enjoy saying your wife. She smiled just thinking about it.

“All right,” Harry said slowly. “Why are you smiling?”

“Nothing really. Am I presentable?”

Harry looked her over and nodded. “You look really nice. Why are you jealous?”

“The flattery in here is overwhelming,” she grumbled as she stepped away to grab a wrap.

He snagged her hand, kissed her hard on the mouth and whispered, “You look great,” in a gruff tone that said more than his words. “Don’t change the subject. Why are you jealous?”

“Because you liked her first.”

“I like you best, though,” he reminded her. “I got tired of her really quickly. I’m never going to get tired of you.”

Ginny’s face lit up brilliantly and for a second Harry’s breath simply stuck in his throat. “All right, then. Let’s get this ball over with.”

“I still don’t want to go.”

“Mum said you had to go or there is no more treacle tart.”

Harry sighed and walked out of the room with her. “I guess we’re going.”

~*~

On the whole the ball was not as bad as Harry had imagined it. It was certainly better than the Yule Ball. He’d danced with Ginny, Hermione and Molly. He’d even danced with Fleur once although she didn’t look well and had opted to sit at a table most of the evening. Ginny was eying her suspiciously now.

“What’s up?”

“I think Fleur is pregnant.”

The butter beer that Harry had just raised to his mouth sloshed. “What?!”

“She’s looking green,” Ginny said calculatingly. “And Fleur always looks perfect, so it’s very noticeable…” her voice faded off as they both watched Bill walk over to her with a glass of water. Crouching down, he spoke quietly to her. “Yes, see the way that Bill is hovering and taking care of her? Definitely pregnant.”

Harry shook his head, not seeing what she was, but willing to take her word on it. “Do you want to dance again?”

Ginny spun and had opened her mouth to speak when Luna stepped up behind Harry. “Hi, Luna.”

“Hello Ginny, Harry,” she glided over and smiled dreamily. “This party is quite lovely, but I will be glad to be heading back to Hogwarts in a few days. I heard that you’re not going back.”

Harry and Ginny were both startled. “Where did you hear that?”

“Daddy told me. He read it on the wire.”

“The what?” Harry asked.

Ginny had more pressing concerns than answering that question. “Do you know who reported it?”

“I believe it was the clerk at the registration office. Marriages, births and deaths are all sent out to the papers.” Luna cocked her head to the side. “You didn’t want anyone to know that you got married? Is that why you didn’t invite anyone?”

Ginny groaned. “No, actually Luna… you can’t tell you father this, but Harry and I got drunk and eloped in Scotland. It was sort of an accident. Mum’s going to throw a party for our wedding and of course we’re inviting you.”

“Oh good,” Luna said airily and smiled. “I won’t say a word to Daddy about it.”

Harry grabbed Ginny’s arm. “Rita Skeeter is going to know.”

Their eyes met and a look of understanding passed between them.

~*~

An hour later the party was in full swing. Harry had stolen away with the Minister for a quick meeting, leaving Ginny talking to Ron and Hermione.

“I’m sure it will be all right,” Hermione said as her fingers twisted through her shawl. “I haven’t seen Rita all night, and she’s usually at the center of something like this.”

Ron took Hermione’s hand and pulled her to the dance floor, leaving Ginny by herself. Krum faltered as he looked after them but continued on towards Ginny.

He took her hand when he reached her and kissed it, smiling charmingly down at her. “I remember you from Fleur’s wedding. Ginny, right?” Oddly enough his accent wasn’t as thick as she remembered it being.

“Mmm,” Ginny agreed with a tight smile as she tried to pull her hand back. Reluctantly, he let go. “Right, I’m Bill’s sister.”

“I could tell from the hair,” Krum agreed as he reached up and touched a lock that was loose at her cheek.

Ginny had to fight not to back away from him. “Have you started training again, or are you on holiday?”

Krum nodded. “The season won’t start for another few weeks, so I have some free time. I’m working with England’s teams to help rebuild. They lost a few players in the last battle.”

Ginny knew that. She knew all about Quidditch, but she smiled as though it were all news to her. “I must say that your English has improved in the last year.”

“I have been taking lessons often to improve it,” Krum informed her. “You’re even prettier now than you were at the wedding. Is this the same dress?”

Her insides squirmed uncomfortably. She did not want Krum flirting with her. She definitely didn’t want Harry to see Krum flirting with her, either. “Uhm, yes. I forgot all about the ball and didn’t have time to get a new one.”

“You forgot about the ball? I thought all girls wanted to go to balls?”

“I had other things going on,” Ginny sidestepped. “I really must-”

“Let’s dance,” Krum said, taking her hand dragging her towards the dance floor. “Unless you still have that large boyfriend from your brother’s wedding.”

Completely nonplussed, it took Ginny a second to dig her heels in. “I didn’t have a boyfriend at the wedding, and I don’t have one now, I’m-”

Krum halted and she would have fallen flat on her face if he hadn’t righted her. “Your cousin at the wedding told me you had a boyfriend.”

“My cousin?” Her momentary distraction hadn’t put him off. He pulled her another few steps and they were on the dance floor. “How did you remember something like that?”

“It was a memorable night, to say the least, and I never forget the details about a beautiful girl.” He gave her a roguish grin. “You will like it. I’m an excellent dancer. I even took lessons.”

Krum took her waist and Ginny reluctantly put her hand in his to dance. He wasn’t half bad, either, but she’d rather have been anywhere else. She also knew that if Krum knew she was Harry’s wife, he wouldn’t be chatting her up. It was obvious that Krum had a lot of respect for Harry. Best to get it over with. “Viktor, I’m married.”

Ginny snorted. Whatever he’d been told it must have been a good one. “I have six older brothers and you’re worried about one husband?” It hurt her heart unbelievably to think of Fred now, but he deserved to be included in the six. He’d always looked after her.

“Six?!” Krum backed a step up from her and shook his head. “How could any man get close enough to marry you?”

“Well,” she said pensively, “if he’s tougher than the rest of them...” She let her voice trail off.

Krum nodded warily and asked, “Who is your husband?”

A voice behind Krum answered for her. “Me.” Harry walked calmly up and put his left arm around her waist. She grinned at him and he extended his free right to shake Krum’s hand. “How are you?”

Krum shook his hand and grinned. “Disappointed that she’s taken, but if I had to lose out on someone so enchanting, I’m glad it’s you. Ginny, thank you for the dance… Harry.” He inclined his head and walked away.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Ginny burst out laughing. “He was flirting with me shamefully!”

Harry grinned and kissed her softly, whispering against her lips, “Of course he was flirting with you. He likes beautiful women.”

Ginny’s cheeks flamed bright red, and she ducked her head. He’d never said she was beautiful before and it gave her stomach a funny little ache. His finger tucked under her chin and lifted her gaze back to his.

“Blushing.” Harry commented as he kissed her again. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Ginny whispered before pulling him further onto the dance floor to dance.

A/N: I know I have left this story for a long time. I want to thank wvchemteach for the small nudges to get back on the horse even though I was bruised and battered, and to my Mom for looking this over for me.